Disclaimer: I do not own Bioware or Marvel Cinematic Universe.


Present

Varric went through a few other bits of story. The Champion and the Avengers apparently went back to the Bone Pit and killed a high dragon. Under other circumstances, it might have been a thrilling tale.

"You've been wasting my time, Varric. It stops now." Cassandra said, impatient.

"Seeker, you wound me." Varric shrugged.

"The Champion nearly starts a war and you're all too happy to bury it beneath your words. You will tell me about the Qunari." Cassandra said.

"What's left to say? The Arishok was killed and a Champion crowned." Varric shrugged.

"And yet we had Orlesians threatening sanctions of every kind and measure." Cassandra glared. "What happened at Chateau Haine? What happened with Tallis?"

Varric blinked. "You've heard about her?"

"We had someone there, but they lacked your access. Whatever Tallis was to the Champion, it seems like it angered a nation."

"Thousands of lives were at stake, Seeker."

"Perhaps one still is."

"Nicely nonspecific. All right, let me set the scene: an ambush, an invitation, a hunting party." Varric leaned forward. "All because of Tallis."


Three years ago

The group went into the plaza of Hightown in the middle of the night, looking around. "And of course there's no one." Marian said.

Varric shrugged. "All I know is it had something to do with you and nobles. Edge is usually very reliable."

"That's what you get the listening to someone called Edge." Isabela noted.

"This is normally when we're ambushed." Fenris said as the rest nodded in agreement.

"Why?" Varric turned to look at the elf. "It's not always an ambush." Around them, armed men started emerging. Varric sighed. "All right, maybe sometimes it's an ambush."

The leader of the armed men smiled. "And there is the Champion of Kirkwall. You die today."

Before Marian could reach for her swords, a dagger stuck the man in the shoulder. An elven woman leaped down from the roof and stabbed her dagger into an archer, making him to releases arrow at one of the assassins.

A second archer took aim and fired an arrow at her, but she used the archer's body as a shield and tossed a knife which impaled in the arches throat. An assassin tried to run her through with a sword, but she blocked it with her dagger and sliced his throat and rolled off the balcony just as an assassin slammed his maul at her. She landed on the ground stabbed four more assassins, ran past them and drew her dagger at the leader's throat.

The Avengers stared, her fighting skills could almost match Natasha's.

"Kill her! Kill all of them!" The leader shouted a moment before the elven woman slit his throat.

"Well? What are you waiting for?" The elven woman quipped as they had completely forgotten that they were still surrounded by assassins.

Isabela drew her daggers, with Marian pulling out her own as Fenris pulled out his sword and Aveline did the same. Steve threw his shield, Sam flew at them, while Strange and Anders started summoning spells.

"Who the blazes is that?" Marian turned to Varric.

"Don't know!" Varric yelled back as he drew Bianca. "Kill people, then ask!"

"Good plan!" The elven woman yelled.

Steve blocked the arrows with his shield, while Wanda deflected them before Sam and Bucky pulled out their guns and attacked. Strange and Anders used their magic to block the arrows as well, while Marian, Fenris and the rest engaged the mercenaries. The elf dodged and threw knives at the mercenaries, she was fast and agile and obviously very skilled. It didn't take long until the fight was over.

"Sloppy." The elf said, kicking one of the bodies over. "You'd think the Crows would be better at this. They've been doing it for ages."

Antivan Crows. Most likely revenge for the ones they had killed with Zevran.

"I appreciate your help." Marian said.

"I doubt you needed it, but you're quite welcome." The elf smiled, sheathing her knives. "My name is Tallis, and I've been looking for you."

"Looking for me?" Marian scowled.

"Looking for the woman who has an invitation to Chateau Haine, to be specific." The woman said.

"Oh, that's what Edge was on about." Varric turned to Marian. "You remember. Duke Prosper, the one who fawned all over you at the Champion of Kirkwall banquet. He talked about a hunt."

Marian remembered. Vaguely. "I doubt I'd go to such a thing."

"I was hoping you'd reconsider." Tallis paced. "The duke is a delightful host—or so I hear."

"Let me guess: this isn't just a social call?" Marian asked rhetorically.

"I need to relieve him of something he has no right to possess, and I can't do it alone." Tallis said, facing her.

"Stealing." Sam realized. The Avengers weren't exactly sure about stealing from a noble. Even though from what they had read, most Orlesians weren't exactly… decent people.

"Stealing from Orlesians is never wrong. Or so I've been told." Varric said, him and Isabela obviously intrigued by the idea.

"This isn't how I was planning to ask you this. I was pictured an introduction with…" Tallis looked around. "Less blood."

"What makes you think I steal things just because people ask me to?" Marian narrowed her eyes.

Varric rubbed the back of his head nervously. "Uh, I may have talked you up a bit. Maybe more than once."

"Oh, Varric." Marian sighed, shaking her head.

"What? It's not like I'm exaggerating. Much." Varric shrugged as they snickered.

"All I've heard is that you get things done. I'm hoping that's true." Tallis said.

"Why not? I hear the Orlesians make excellent cheese." Marian shrugged.

Tallis laughed. "That's right, you're Ferelden, aren't you?"

"We're not actually dog people, despite whatever rumors you've heard." Marian joked as they chuckled.

"I'll keep that in mind." Tallis nodded.

"So tell me: what exactly is it that you want to stay?" Marian inquired.

"A jewel." Tallis said hesitantly. "The duke thinks it's valuable, and it is, just not in the way he believes." She went back to pacing. "What's more, he shouldn't have it in the first place. He who wishes to walk on water must first learn to swim." She turned to look at them. "Come with me to Chateau Haine. I'll explain everything on the way." She shrugged. "If nothing else, you get fine wine and fancy company. But…" Her smile was hopeful. "I hope you want more than that." She walked off,

Sebastian wasn't unable to come, because he said that it was his duty to protect the grand cleric and convince her to leave the city. So, they left him backing Kirkwall and took off with the others.

"Stealing from a noble? I'm not so sure about that." Steve said.

"From what I've heard, Orlesians kind of have it coming." Wanda noted.

"I guess since we're in it, we can at least see it through." Clint said.

"Bethany was allowed her monthly free visit. I'll speak with Cullen. He may allow her to come with us." Marian said.

The group went to the docks, although Strange declined, claiming he had no interest in dealing with more nobles.


Isabela was ecstatic about being able to take out her new ship, even if the crew were mere hirelings instead of "proper" raiders.

"The jewel we're after is called the Heart of the Many." Tallis as they sailed to Orlais.

"Interesting name." Marian said.

"Interesting jewel. All I care about is getting it away from the duke." Tallis showed them some blueprints and a map "Here's the problem: the Heart is in a vault, beneath who knows what kind of traps. Protected by private army of Orlesian chevaliers. All inside a fortress that was designed to be impenetrable. And let's not forget it's on the side of a mountain in the middle of nowhere. Surrounded by monsters."

"Lovely." Marian muttered.


They arrived at the chateau in the mountains, when they saw some nobles arguing at the entrance.

"Andraste's tears, Prosper! When is this going to get started?"

"Presently." the man in the plumed helmet said. "All right, everyone. You all know the tradition, yes? The first to find and slay a wyvern wins the honors of the evening. And bragging rights of course." Duke Prosper gestured. "Good luck to you all!"

Marian walked towards the Duke, only to have another man step between them. "I'm here by invitation. Would you tell your master that I've arrived?"

"Ah! The Champion of Kirkwall!" Duke Prosper gestured at the other man. "These are honored guests." He gave them a small bow. "Please excuse Cahir." He chuckled. "A polite bodyguard is a contradiction in terms, or so I am told."

"A Chasind? Here?" Marian noticed the tribal tattoos on Cahir's face.

"Ah, yes, you are Fereldan, aren't you? You would know of his people." Prosper said.

"They traded in Lothering sometimes. My family never had a problem with them." Marian nodded.

"See that, Cahir?" The duke turned to Cahir. "Now you have someone to speak to! He's so chatty, let me tell you." He bowed towards Tallis. "And who is this lovely specimen?"

"You flatter me, Your Grace." Tallis said, shying away demurely.

The Duke gave Marian a considering look. "I must say, I didn't really expect you. I already have an Amell, you see. Or Hawke, I suppose it is." The Duke gestured at where a man in Warden armor was walking towards them. "A Grey Warden, no less. No doubt ensuring I don't accidentally cure their Blight business."

"Sisters." Carver smiled.

"Brother." Bethany nodded.

"It's good to see you again, Carver." Wanda nodded as they hugged each other.

"Perhaps you should join forces, to avoid any appearance of collusion between parties." The Duke gestured dismissively. "At any rate, I won't keep you from the hunt. Wouldn't want you to fall behind the others, yes?"

"What exactly is a wyvern? I've never seen one before." Steve asked.

"And why would you? They are exceptional beasts, magnificent cousins to the mighty dragons!" The Duke smiled. "My only advice? Beware their poison. It's the deadliest thing about them, as was the most valuable."

"Their poison is valuable?" Marian inquired.

"Indeed! For it can be brewed aquae lucidius, a libation adored even by the empress herself!" The Duke laughed as they stared. The Orlesian nobles drink poison as a beverage?

"You'd think she be against drinking poison, on principle." Varric said.

"Her Imperial Majesty is many things, "careful" not one of them." The Duke joked. "But here we are, wasting valuable time on questions! Do you wish the others to beat you to the prize?"

"It will be interesting diversion, I'm sure." Marian said.

"Good luck to you, my lady! Remember: fortune favors the bold."


"Looks like a hunt on a fox like in Britain. Only this time, we're chasing a mini-dragon." Sam said.

"Depends on how you define "mini"." Marian nodded before she and Bethany turned to their brother.

"What brings you here, Carver?" Bethany asked.

"A wyvern hunt, same as you." Carver smiled, and then greeted the others. "At least that's what I assume brings you here."

"Not exactly, we'll tell you later." Marian said as she bought the recipe for the wyvern poison cure before they headed out to the hunting grounds.

"You'd think we'd get into these parties, when we saved the world." Wanda said.

"Instead, we got blamed and became outlaws." Sam nodded.

"Well, good to know this world is a bit different. A bit." Marian shrugged.

They, mostly to annoy Varric, headed uphill. It wasn't long before they encountered a few young dragons.

"Not our prey, I suspect." Fenris said, poking at one with the tip of his sword.

"Do dragons and wyverns even mix?" Tallis frowned. "I don't think so."

"So if we drop part of this in the right spot, we might lure a wyvern out to protect its territory?" Marian asked.

Tallis nodded excitedly. "Good thought. Do that."


Tallis glanced at Carver and Bethany, her eyes resting for a moment on the griffin decorating his armor. "So you're Marian's siblings."

"We still admit that, on occasion." Carver gave her an equally considering look.

"But you're on good terms." Tallis glanced from one to the other.

"For now. The day's still young." Bethany said as the ones from Kirkwall and Wanda snickered and Marian and Carver shook their heads at their sister's antics.

"We're fine. Just… different." Marian noticed a darkened spill on the ground. "A lot of blood. Would that be from prey or from a wyvern itself?"

"I've heard they fight for dominance." Tallis looked at the blood. "Can't be gentle."

"We could use it as a bait." Wanda suggested as Marian carefully filled a glass vial with blood.

"Is it gonna work? Is that enough?" Clint asked.

"I'd say so." Tallis considered a moment. "A little one. Probably all we need. In the right spot…" She shrugged. "No doubt."


"Can you imagine us celebrating and playing games if I had never fallen off the train or you had not crashed that plane?" Bucky asked.

"Celebrations and parties?" Steve chuckled. "Well… never too late to try something new, I guess."

Bucky and Steve laughed.

Sometime later, they ran into a man and promised to look for his hunting dogs.

"I always did like a man on a mission." Isabela teased Carver.

"Wardens go deep. It's a hard calling. And we also save the world."

Her eyes widened, and she smiled. "Very interesting."

"I'll tell you about it sometime, when I'm not, you know, saving the world."

Whatever reply Isabela was going to make was cut off by a screeching sound. "Is that… wyverns mating?" Tallis squinted into the distance.

"Could we mimic that?" Marian wondered.

"No." Tallis blinked. "Oh, the sound. Right, yes, I can try that."

Isabela snickered.


"Been a bit light on the career advice since I got here." Carver glanced over at Aveline as Marian collected ingredients for the poison antidote.

"You've been a bit light on needing it." She shrugged. "Although, why the Wardens would care about a fop and his… his…"

"Utter waste of ability and time?"

"Yes!"

"He toys with big beasties. Who knows what he'll flush out of the dark?" Carver shrugged. "It's light duty. Can't lie about that."


"Just like old times, isn't it? Going on adventures, getting into scrapes. It's like you're free again." Isabela noted as they kept walking down the forest, looking for the wyverns.

"It's funny. The idea of the Circle is much more terrifying than the reality of it." Bethany shrugged. Though perhaps my transition was made easier by the books you sent along with your letters." Bethany chuckled.

Isabela let out a laugh. "Oh, you liked them, did you?"

"They were wicked. It was like you were there." Bethany was shaking her head in disgust.

Marian groaned, rolling her eyes. "Please, for the love of all that's holy, don't write to my sister anymore."

Isabela and Bethany giggled at her expense.


"Watch it." Varric gestured at the cave. "Ghast hole."

"What hole again?" Bucky asked.

Varric shrugged. "A scholar might call it something else, but they don't know their ghasts from a hole in the ground."

"And they say I'm the monster." Anders shook his head.

Then to their surprise, they saw a shirtless man with shredded pants, reminding them a little of Bruce, heading down towards them with relief over his face.

"Oh, Blessed Andraste, thank you. I thought I'd die out here. I've been trapped here since last night."

"What happened to you?" Wanda asked.

"Ghasts were chasing me. I thought I could leave false trails…" The man sighed. "Truth told, I'm not looking for the wyvern. I'm a scholar from Cumberland, researching an Avvar cult that once lived here. They worshiped the Lady of the Skies to the exclusion of all other gods. I'm searching for their shrine."

Marian pointed at the direction from which they had come. "I think we've been to your shrine. There was nothing but angry spirit at the site."

"Nothing else?" The man sighed. "Pity. I had hoped… ah well. The rumors say they were driven from their last refuge. They left a great treasure in the goddess's keeping." He offered a sheaf of notes. "But the mountain has defeated me. Please, take my research and see if you can do anything with it." Carver reached forward and took the notes. "I will try to make it back to camp. Good luck to you, serah."


Varric glanced up at Aveline. "Should have come to the Hanged Man last week. You missed Brennan drunk off her ass, reciting love poems to Corff."

"She did not!" Aveline looked at Marian, who just sighed and nodded.

"Four hours she spent clinging to the bar, shouting sonnets at the poor man." Varric gestured.

"Ugh, a guardsman's poetry." Aveline shook her head. "That's assault, that is."

"Keep an eye on her." Varric lowered his voice dramatically. "I think she's in possession of a few concealed dirty limericks, too."


They came around some trees and stopped. Marian wrinkled her nose.

"Oh…" Tallis said. "A wyvern kill? Some kind of… halla or something?"

"Looks like a tunic." Bucky examined it.

"Don't know, don't care, it's bait they liked for some reason." Tallis said.


"You are too willing to involve yourself in the affairs of others, Marian." Fenris gave Tallis a disapproving glance. "Each time you put yourself at risk. One day you will not be so lucky."

"You have a better idea?" Marian raised an eyebrow.

"Guard what you have. Keep your head low."

"That sounds like a way to go through life without ever knowing anyone."

"I… suppose so." Fenris nodded.

"How well has that worked for you, Fenris?" Marian challenged and Fenris grunted as everyone else snickered before Wanda gave him a reassuring smile as Fenris smiled back.


They saved the dogs and returned them safely to their owner. He was a bit surprised to see mabari hounds belonging to an Orlesian. They came to a stop when they reached a very large pile of wyvern poo.

Marian groaned before taking a breath. "Looking for clues."

Everyone else groaned too as Marian put her hand into the pile.

"Oh, for Andraste's sake! You didn't do that on purpose, did you?" Bethany wrinkled her nose.

"Oh, very mature. Why don't you just roll in it like a dog?" Carver drawled.

Marian ignored her siblings and Tallis glanced down at what she had found. "Ooh, nug bones. I wonder if a nug call would help attract a wyvern."

"Putting my hand into shit? Can't say Nat and I have done that before. If it was Jurassic Park, I could understand." Clint muttered.

"You know a nug call?" Marian looked at the elf incredulously.

"You go elbow deep in wyvern shit and I'm the weird one?" Tallis countered.

Marian ignored her and went to the pond and washed her hands. "We must have enough to bait a trap now."

Tallis nodded. "In the right spot… no doubt."


They found a clearing. Tallis looked around. "Yes, I think this would be the place to find a wyvern. And room enough to kill the thing without getting sat on." She knelt, examining the area. "They're not stupid, though. We'll need some really good bait."

"Lay it all out. I'm bringing the duke a trophy to talk about." Marian said.

"Yes." Tallis glanced back at her. "I mean, if you're sure." She started rummaging through what they had collected. "Let's get to it. We've got a lot of stuff to lay out, for starters." She took the vial. "Right, now the blood." She splashed it on her armor, and then gave him a defensive look when they gave her confused looks. "What? The prey needs to be moving. Doesn't it?" She inhaled. "Okay, I'll do the sound. You get ready. Don't look at me while I do this."

The group positioned themselves as Tallis proceeded to dance around and make an ungodly cacophony of sounds that they were unable to exactly define.

A moment later, something roared and a massive wyvern jumped out at them. Fortunately, they were very prepared, Carver, Aveline, Fenris, Marian and Isabela were under the hiding places and plunge their swords and daggers into its back.

The wyvern tried to shake them off, but Varric shot its eyes out with Bianca, while Sam and Bucky shot at its head. Marian, Isabela and Tallis struck it and its blind spots. Bethany, Merrill and Anders supported them with both defensive and offensive spells.

The wyvern then tried to make one last desperate attempt to eat Marian but Marian dodged and jammed the sword right into its eye socket, right into the brain.

Their victory was short lived when another group of hunters approached. "Well, if it isn't the Fereldan turnip." The leader of the other hunters glared. "They say you are the champion of some backwater city in the east. Quite the achievement, I'm sure. I suggest you run along with your servants while you have the chance. This wyvern was mine to kill, not yours." The man actually stomped his foot. "Mine, mine, mine! I paid good coin to be the one who wins this contest! It was my turn!"

"You had your chance, Orlesian. And you failed." Marian said, hoping to settle this civilly without a fight.

"You dare talk to me in such a fashion!" The man glared.

Tallis sighed. "You do realize this woman has nasty little thugs like you for breakfast, I hope?"

"More insolence! From a knife-ear this time!" The man gestured for his bodyguards to draw their weapons. "I can take no more of this. Kill them all. We can say the wyvern was too much for them."

The hunters attacked, but they were very ill-equipped to deal with Marian and her companions and the Avengers. It took no time at all for them to kill the hunter's party and knocking him to the ground.

"Now what is going on here?" Prosper asked.

"Prosper!" The other hunter managed to get back to his feet. "This bloody she-bitch tried to steal my rightful kill!"

The Duke gave the man a disbelieving look. 'Now is that any way to speak of the Champion of Kirkwall, Baron?!

The Baron glared. "This is your fault for inviting a stinking turnip in the first place! Your mother would be ashamed!"

Prosper laughed. "Says the man whose mother has slept with half of Val Chevin." He turned to look at Marian. "My apologies. Arlange has always been a cheat. What would you have done with him?"

The Avengers raised their brows as Tallis narrowed her eyes. "You're not suggesting…"

"Why not?" Prosper shrugged. "You believe Arlange would have stopped short of murder, given the chance?"

Marian glanced at Tallis. "Something on your mind?"

"Just let him go. He's not worth your time, Marian." Tallis pleaded.

Steve nodded. "He's a jerk but that doesn't mean he should be executed for it."

Marian nodded in agreement as Prosper laughed. "My word! Such mercy!"

"He can't be more than he is, that's all." Tallis whispered. "You've bested him."

"I've no interest in more bloodshed." Marian said.

"You hear that, Arlange?" Prosper gestured at the Baron. "It behooves you to leave while you still can."

"I…" Arlange sneered. "Fine. I will go." He walked off, glaring.

Prosper turned back to them. "Congratulations on finding the wyvern. It looks like a fine one, indeed. There will be a celebration in the chateau courtyard. Do attend when you're ready."

Tallis waited for Prosper to leave, then glanced at Marian. "You let him go? That was…" She smiled. "Very merciful."

"That's one way to put it." Bethany shrugged.

Carver turned to Tallis in confusion. "You say that like it's a bad thing."

"We should go to the chateau." Tallis said. "Time to practice your table conversation."

They headed back to the chateau.


As they were mingling, Tallis was snooping around to find a way to break in. An hour later, she came back towards them. "I had a quick look around. There's one door into the castle that isn't under heavy guard…"

Carver shrugged. "Here we go again."

"I can't get it open." Tallis sighed. "And believe me, I tried. Bent a nice set of lockpicks in that stupid door. One of the duke's guardsmen must have the key. They wouldn't just lock themselves out of the castle. I hope."

"Why else would the party be in the garden? He probably has someone breaking a window right now." Marian drawled.

"I…" Tallis considered a moment. "Could make that work, actually. But in the meantime, let's find someone with a key."

"We better split into groups. We shouldn't attract too much attention to ourselves." Steve suggested.

"Tallis and I will look for the key. In the meantime, scout out the castle for another way in." Marian said.

"Let's see what we can find out." Tallis started heading in. "Come on!"


They found Prosper greeting several other guests and he turned the moment he saw them. "Ahh! At last, the hero of the hunt!" He then turned to his guests. "The Champion of Kirkwall has the honor of the first kill this day!" The crowd cheered and raised their glasses. "To hunt the wyvern on its own ground is attempt fate: a terrible risk. But the prize…" He then presented Marian with a finely crafted wyvern-skin belt. "I present to you this belt crafted of fine wyvern skin. Wear it well, and accept the accolade you are due."

"Thank you, Duke Prosper. I'm proud to be here." Marian said politely.

"Your humility, my dear Hawke, does you great credit." Prosper then heard a loud roar and then turned to find a huge wyvern within a cage. "Do not mind Leopold. My pet is always too temperamental before dinner."

"Leopold, is it?" Marian asked. "I didn't know wyverns could be tamed."

"Tame is, perhaps, too strong of a word." Prosper said before he turned to his guests. "My friends, I officially welcome you to Chateau Haine! Enjoy a taste of Orlesian hospitality!"

They began to mingle with the other guests and that's when Marian found someone she recognized, Lady Elegant. Before she was made a lady, she had helped the Red Iron by providing them potions. She had always been quite fond of Marian and as such she provided her with potions whenever she acquired.

She told them of several people that she should mingle with and several he should avoid. Comtesse de Launcet gave him an apologetic look, for she had been a friend of his mothers. Marian noticed that had two daughters did not share the sympathy and they looked as if they had a horrible smell under the nose. Seneschal Bran was also in attendance, with the lovely Serendipity on his arm. Tallis found that somewhat awkward.


Marian then found a fellow Fereldan, Bann Teagan Guerrin.

"My word… has anyone told you, you're the splitting image of the Champion of Kirkwall?" Teagan said.

Marian chuckled. "My name is Marian Hawke. I didn't catch your name, sir…?"

Teagan looked embarrassed. "Maker's breath, now I feel like an idiot. I should have realized, I'm Bann Teagan Guerrin."

"Who is this man, Teagan?" The woman next to him inquired.

"I beg your pardon, my dear. Kaitlyn this is the Champion of Kirkwall. Lady Hawke, allow me to present my wife, Kaitlyn." Teagan introduced them.

Marian kissed the young woman's hand, and then glanced back at Teagan. "It is warming to find a fellow Fereldan here."

"Indeed, but I'm not the only Fereldan attending, Bann Kallian is also here." Teagan smiled.

"Kallian? As in Kallian Tabris, the first even nobles since the fall of the Dales?" Tallis asked.

"The same." Teagan nodded. He then looked at Marian curiously. "You remind me a great deal of someone I once knew." Teagan suddenly smiled. "Ah, that's right. You and Daylen are cousins, are you not?"

"We are. Though we've never actually met." Marian nodded.

Teagan nodded. "He hasn't been seen for four years, he's disappeared without a trace. Anyway, a pleasure to see you again. If you speak to Bann Perrin, I don't advise you to bring up the Chantry. Or…" He shrugged. "Knickers."


They followed Teagan's advice and found Kallian and could not help but notice that several of the nobles were the giving her a wide berth.

"I see you're not afraid to talk to a knife-ear." Kallian noted as Marian and Steve neared her.

"Should I be?" Marian asked, not seeing the issue.

"Forgive me, many of the nobles have ordered me to fetch their drinks, it does get tiresome." Kallian said before eying her "Ah, you must be the Champion of Kirkwall and one of the Avengers."

Marian blinked. "How did you…?"

"Zevran told me in great detail about you and I must say he did not exaggerate."

Marian then remember that both Kallian and Zevran were lovers, in fact she also knew that Isabela had been in bed with Kallian as well, although she wished she could at the moment erase the mental image from her mind.

"I take it that the guest not too happy to have an elf is an equal?" Steve asked.

"You've guessed correctly, but there's very little they can do about it except ignore me. Besides, they know that I killed an Arl, who tried to rape me and assisted in the assassination of another, so they do not like to cross me." She then looked up and down at Marian. "I must say I can see the family resemblance between you and Daylen."

"What happened to you and the other Wardens? I read "The Tale of the Wardens" from Theron Mahariel but it doesn't mention what happened to you and your compatriots." Steve said. Ever since he had learned about Thedas and what Wanda had been through, he wanted to know more about the heroes here.

"Let's see, Morrigan disappeared without a trace after the Battle of Denerim. Leliana is doing work for the Chantry, I believe. Sten returned to Par Vollen." The prisoner Qunari, whom they helped find his lost sword and redeem his honor among his people. "Wynne, I believe became the court mage for Anora and Alistair and Chancellor Elissa." The Circle mage, who aided them. "Zevran, I believe is still running from the Crows and sometimes does a little work for me when I ask both in and out of bed." No need to more know more about Kallian's lover. "Shale, the golem, went to the Imperium to find a way to return to flesh and blood, whether she succeeded, I do not know." The cursed golem who used to be a dwarf. "And Oghren joins the Grey Wardens and is now a Senior Warden I believe, Maker help us." The dwarven warrior, who, if Steve could guess correctly, was like Ferelden Gimli.

"And no word of my cousin?" Marian asked.

"I'm afraid I'm a bit out of the loop within the Wardens, but that's what happens when you leave and try to create an entire new noble lineage. Anyway, I hope you enjoy the rest of today." Kallian said.


"Sister Nightingale?" Wanda said, recognizing the red-haired woman.

Leliana smiled. "Wanda. It is good to see you again, under less…" She twitched a shoulder. "…dire circumstances. I—" Her gaze went to the elf accompanying her. "Tallis?"

"Leliana. It's so lovely to see you again." Tallis's voice quivered, as Wanda noticed how nervous they both were and both women looked as if they wanted to look for a way out of the chaeteau.

"You look stunning this evening. Your hair is darling. Did you do it yourself?" Leliana blurted out.

"Oh." Wanda said, realizing what was it about. "You… know each other?"

"Oh, briefly." Tallis shrugged. "A long time ago."

There was an uncomfortably knowing look in Leliana's eyes. "You meet all sorts of people in Orlais. It keeps life exciting." She blushed.

"Is there a problem here?" Wanda asked.

"No, no problem at all!" Leliana assured, chuckling nervously, her cheeks going pink.

"Everything is fine, Wanda! Why would you think otherwise?" Tallis asked, starting to blush too and as she looked back at Leliana. "We shouldn't take up any more of your time, Leliana. I'm sure you have…" She glanced at the wine glass in her hand, and casually dumped it into a nearby plant. "Things. That need attention. Right now."

Leliana lifted her own glass in Tallis's direction before taking a sip.

"Do I want to…"

"Don't ask." Tallis interrupted Wanda. "Let's see if we can find the guard with the key."


They found the guard and Tallis struck out first with the guard, then with a servant. After a bit more work, she also struck out with Prosper's son, Lord Cyril. She threw her hands up into the air. "This is officially my worst night ever."

"Not Lord Cyril's type?" Marian asked.

Tallis shook her head. "Maybe he just doesn't like elves." She glanced over her shoulder. "Or women." She turned back to Marian "In either case, you're the answer. He has the key. Go get it." When Marian glared, Tallis shrugged. "What? It's your turn, Marian. Go on."

Marian sighed. "I suppose it won't hurt for me to go and talk to him."

"Please, please try! I think he likes you!" Tallis begged.

Marian took a breath before entering as Lord Cyril was examining a tapestry. "Tell the elf that her pleas are for nothing. She's pretty enough, I suppose. No doubt there are some men who would like that sort of thing."

"I thought you might be a man of…" Marian looked like she just swallowed a lemon. "…refined tastes."

"I have a great appreciation for beauty…" Cyril chuckled as Marian neared his ear, whispering compliments that made him chuckle, while she discreetly pickpocketed the key.

Marian pulled away, a seductive smile on her face. "Why don't we talk again after the party?" She teased before leaving. Cyril nodded eagerly, and went back to examining the tapestry.

Tallis was waiting outside for Marian. "You have it. Tell me you have it."

"I have it."

"Good. Then we can find the…" Tallis swallowed. "…jewel and get this over with."

"You don't sound that excited." Marian narrowed her eyes.

"It's simply been a long time coming, that's all."

"This jewel is that important to you?" Marian asked. She had a feeling Tallis was not telling her everything.

"Yes. I suppose it is. I want this part of my life finished."

"This is our best chance, while everyone is occupied." Marian said.

"Right you are."


They entered another part of chateau but stumbled upon a guard.

"What in the name…"

"There's no need for you to die today, friend." Tallis raised her hands. "Just move on. You never saw us."

The guard was about to yell for help. "Thie-"

Suddenly, a knife embedded itself into his neck as he gagged before Marian could even blink as he fell down. She was surprised to see Tallis look remorseful of what she had done.

"You could have walked away." Tallis whispered as she knelt towards the dead guard.

"Is something wrong?" Marian asked.

"I didn't want to kill him." Tallis said.

"I've seen you kill several men." Marian argued.

"There are other paths. They do not all need to lead to the same destination." Tallis stood back up. "Enough. We're here for the Heart." She turned towards her. "I'd like to do this quietly. Alert as few guards as possible. What do you think?"

"Let's do it quietly. We shouldn't get into fights we don't have to." Marian nodded.

"I'm glad you agree. Let's go." Tallis said.


Carver and Isabela were strolling around the outskirts of the chateau and Isabela couldn't help but notice that Carver was leading her away from the chateau.

"Where are we going?" Isabela asked.

"Somewhere private." Carver smirked, piquing the pirate's interest.

"Oh, and what has the big bad warden got in mind?" Isabela teased.

"Something you'll like." Carver said as they soon enough entered a small cove with a waterfall crashing into a small pond.

Isabela smirked as she took off her shirt and pants, while helping Carver take off his armor as they dove into the water and kissed and started to make out.

Isabela pulled away as she looked around. "We shouldn't stay here for long. I don't like the idea of getting the blame for…"

"Oh, I thought you wanted some fun." Carver teased.

"Oh, there's the bad boy I like." Isabela chuckled as they swam down the pond before she splashed some water into Carver's face. She laughed as Carver smirked.

"Oh, bad move, naughty girl!" Carver said as he dove down and pulled Isabela underwater. Not too long later, they swam to the shore, putting their clothes back on.

"We should do this more often." Isabela said.

"This was fun." Carver nodded.


Marian had to knock out a guard to get the key. Since the man was unconscious anyway, she took a few moments to make a few additions to Leopold's evening repast, just in case. A sick wyvern should be an adequate distraction.

Cautiously, they moved up the stairs, sneaking past and knocking out more guards they stumbled upon as they came down a flight of stairs, and found the vault. Naturally, it was guarded by an annoying floor puzzle of switches.

"It's never as easy as it seems, is it?" Tallis sighed.

It took several minutes and the unfortunate destruction of two no doubt priceless statues, but they got the door open. Marian glanced at Tallis as they entered the vault. "Something wrong?"

"I don't know." Tallis said before guards started to enter. "Yes."

"Don't fret, my dear." Prosper said as Marian and Tallis pulled out their daggers.

"Yes, this qualifies as wrong." Marian muttered.

"It's not over yet." Tallis said.

"But it is over." Prosper shrugged. "I knew who you were the moment you arrived, assassin."

"Assassin? I thought we were here to steal a jewel!" Marian whirled on the elf.

Prosper laughed. "Then she didn't tell you! The elf is a Qunari."

"You're…" Marian stared at her. "…Qunari?"

"It's… complicated." Tallis said, confused.

Marian was angry that she had been lied to again but right now was not the time to be angry. Besides, she could at least give Tallis a benefit of the doubt until she would explain herself. "I assume Tallis has her reasons."

Prosper chuckled. "My! She chose you well, didn't she?"

Tallis turned towards Prosper. "Look, I came to stop the Heart from doing something we will all regret." She gestured at Marian. "She didn't. Leave him out of this."

"And waste all the effort I spent luring you here before the Heart's arrival?" Prosper shook his head. "Don't be foolish."

"Asay hassatra maas." Tallis said.

"Maas avastrasa kulun." Prosper replied as he gestured to his men. "Take them away."


Present

The Seeker blinked. "The elf was Qunari?"

"And the dwarf has no beard. I know, it made no sense to me, either." Varric shrugged. "Maybe they cut her horns off?"

"The Qunari are not a race." Cassandra narrowed her eyes. "They are a religion. What I don't understand is why a Qunari agent would try to kill one of her own people. And why involve the Champion and the Avengers?"

"Excellent questions."

"I expect answers to match."

"I live to please." Varric said, settling back down in the chair.


Three years ago

Marian was pacing around their cell while Tallis just sat on the floor.

"I have a question." Tallis said as Marian sat down on the only bench in the cell. "When the Duke told you what I was, you said you didn't care. Was that true?"

Marian sighed. She was angry for being lied to but it wasn't going to help her at the moment. "You could have told me the truth. I might have listened."

"And what if you didn't?" Tallis asked.

"I suppose we'll never know." Marian shrugged.

Tallis gave her an apologetic look. "I am sorry. This didn't work out like I'd planned…" She gestured at the cell they were sitting in. "Obviously."

"What was your plan, exactly?" Marian inquired.

"The one I expected to find is named Salit, a member of the Ben-Hassrath…" Tallis sighed. "The Heart of the Many. I was told he's here to sell secrets to the Orlesians, and I came to stop him. I…" She looked down at her hands. "Suppose I was misinformed."

"So you came here to stop this Salit from betraying your people?" Marian questioned. If so, Marian could understand Tallis's motives.

"You probably won't believe me, but this isn't a political mission. It's…" Tallis stood up. "Personal."

"What do you mean?"

"Salit was my bessrathari— the one who recruited me into the Ben-Hassrath. My tutor. He's the one who saw my potential, convinced me I could make a difference. It doesn't matter now."

Marian nodded. A family matter. That, she understood. "But you said he was selling secrets."

"He is, or at least he intends to. One last act of defiance." Tallis said. "I can't let him do that. Not when he'll hurt so many others in the process."

"You mean he'll hurt other Qunari."

"Not every Qunari is a soldier, you know." Tallis snapped, glaring. "There are tens of thousands of farmers, artisans, craftsmen… People who have never hurt anyone. People whose only crime is living. They don't deserve what he's going to do to them." Neither did many of the people of Kirkwall, or those that would be killed or brainwashed when the Qunari did actually invade. "But it's more than my duty to stop Salit. It is my moral obligation."

"So everything you told me was a lie."

"Not everything."

"So I just missed the part where you're one of the people I drove out of Kirkwall." Marian said. She had killed one of the leaders of Tallis's people. She was lucky that the Qunari were honorable.

"You don't need horns to embrace the Qun." Tallis said. What you need is a purpose. A belief in unity, in improving the lot not only for your own people but for everyone."

"You sound like you believe that." Mariam noted.

"I do. Nobody's controlling my mind. I'm not insane." Tallis said. "Being Qunari doesn't automatically mean you're a zealot." She gestured. "Most Qunari don't even understand humans, why you act like you do." She walked towards her. "But I grew up among you. I understand perfectly well."

Marian was a human, and she didn't understand them most days. And clearly, she didn't understand elves either. "Wait… aren't you here to kill someone for the Qunari?"

"I never said I was killing him for the Qunari."

"So you're improving his lot? Perhaps repeatedly?"

"I know it's not easy to understand." Tallis sighed. "After what the Arishok did, I hardly blame you. But just tell me: can you honestly say ther''s nothing to improve, nothing to strive for? We believe in striving together. We may stumble, but that doesn't mean we shouldn't try."

"I'm not arguing about that." Marian said. The ideal was nice. The methods left a lot to be desired.

"It's who I am. I joined the Ben-Hassrath because I felt it meant something." Marian raised her brows as Tallis corrected herself. "Means something."

"You sound like you're trying to convince yourself." Marian noted.

"It's been a long time since I even talked to anyone about it." Tallis gestured. "I suppose it's not really prison cell conversation."

Marian got up, pacing around as well, wondering where her friends and siblings were. Had they found a way in or some trouble of their own. "So did you really involve me just because I had an invitation?" She questioned.

"You were the only one on the invitation list who wasn't a personal friend of the Montfort family." Tallis smiled. "And you're also basalit-an, remember? An outsider worthy of respect."

"You know about that?" Marian raised her eyebrows. She didn't expect that the Qunari would know about that.

"Of course. If there was anyone a Qunari should or would consider going to for help… it's you." Tallis said.

"And what was going to happen when this was over?" Marian asked.

"I thank you, we go our separate ways?" Tallis shrugged.

"Really? I wouldn't notice a thing?" Marian questioned.

"Truth? You're…" She shrugged and looked Marian over. "Not exactly what I was expecting. I've heard a few stories about you and the Avengers. They don't quite do you justice. Perhaps if I'd done my homework, I would have known more about you. Given you the respect you deserve." She leaned against the wall. "Nothing I can do about it now."

"I assume you have some sort of plan." Marian asked as she sat down on the bench.

"I always have a plan." Tallis smirked.

"A good one?"

"The first order of business is getting out of here before His Grace decides we would taste good in the soup…" Tallis shrugged. "Or whatever he has planned." She glanced at her. "Any ideas?"

"We didn't come here alone, remember?" Marian chuckled.


Fenris came to a halt. "So… we're lost?"

Isabela looked around. "Definitely."

"Now what do we do?"

"I could try to guess the color of your underclothes again." Isabela shrugged.

Anders shook his head, and turned towards her. "All right, we should have tried your suggestion."

"Which? Challenging the guards to a game of riddles and making, "Where is Marian Hawke?" one of the questions?"

"I meant the, "Follow one wall, and you'll navigate the maze," idea."

"Well, we can try it next time." Isabela gestured at Fenris. "Either that, or, "Let's get a sledgehammer and break down the walls," I thought that had merit."


"We've been going in circles for over an hour." Aveline kicked at the wall.

"I'm so used to Marian leading the way, I think my sense of direction has withered." Varric looked up at her. "So… wait for her to rescue us?"

"When you tell this part? Leave it out." Aveline sighed.


"Bloody runaround twisted shite of a maze." Bethany cursed.

"Language!" Sam cracked as Steve rolled his eyes.

"I've never heard you swear like that before." Wanda said.

"Not every book in the Circle is high literature." Bethany shrugged.

"We can see that." Steve nodded as they ran off.


"I think we've been here already." Bucky said as they looked around.

"Reminds me of when Nat and I were in Lisbon. That was fun." Clint chuckled.

"Blessed Andraste, guide us. Protect our friends in this dark hour." Sebastian prayed.

"You should pray for some explosives. That might help." Bucky muttered.

"You know, that kind of prayer has never worked for me." Sebastian said as they continued running.


"And we are back to front yet again." Carver noted as he, Bobbi and Hunter stopped.

"Maybe we should drop some marbles, like how Isabela did it." Hunter suggested.

"Did you bring some?" Bobbi pointed out as Hunter rolled his eyes.

"Marbles?" Carver scowled.

"Uh, never mind." Hunter said as they continued running down the corridor.


Tallis gave a vexed sigh as she got up. "That's it. I'm officially tired of waiting to be rescued." She walked over and unlatched the portcullis of their cell.

"Why didn't you just do that before?" Marian asked, perplexed.

"You said your friends were coming." Tallis shrugged and Marian nodded. Fair enough.

And soon enough, they all appeared in front of their cell as Marian and Tallis went out.

"And you're fine. Of course you are." Bethany muttered.

"Safe and sound. This is why we never rush when you're in trouble." Carver added.

"We should get out of here." Wanda said.

Marian glanced at Tallis. "So back through the castle, then?"

"There's a better way than fighting through the duke's entire army. I'll show you." Tallis smiled as Bethany handed them their confiscated armor and weapons.

They went down the corridor as Steve smiled.

"I should've known you can take care of yourself. You remind me of a lot of tenacious women I had met." Steve said as Marian smiled.

"Thank you, Steve. I'm glad you put such confidence in me." Marian said.

A passage in one of the vaults led them back to the dungeon. They started to walk back, when a large crack in the wall caught Marian's eye.

Tallis suddenly smiled. "I think this can get us out." She glanced at them. "Got everything from the chateau? The way those rocks look, I don't want to test this path more than once."

"There's a lake? In the middle of the mountain?" Marian wondered. Unknowing to any of them, Carver and Isabela shifted awkwardly.

Tallis nodded. "The Retreat needed to house hundreds of people during the Blight, if not thousands. Can't do that without fresh water." She gestured at a path. "Here we go, this will lead us out." She started down the path, and then stopped. "That's odd. I could swear there was…" Suddenly, portcullis slammed shut between her the others as Tallis glanced over her shoulder. "Trust me!" She promptly ran off.

"Tallis!" Marian cried out before Cahir appeared with more guards and mages.

Cahir was giving a speech when Tallis threw her knife, missing him by inches. She jumped down from her vantage point and re-joined them. Soon enough, they finished off Cahir and his men.

"And there's the way out." Tallis gestured. "See? I told you I had a plan. It was a good plan, the kind that had an escape and everything."

"Not a monster lair. That is a good sign." Marian said.

"So you could go. There are, however…" Tallis gave her a hopeful look. "Other options."

"What did you have in mind?" Marian wondered.

"You've been so reasonable since we were captured. I'm… hoping that hasn't changed." Tallis said pleadingly. "What Salit is going to do will harm so many innocents—my people as well as yours. It's my duty to stop him. Even so, I can't do it alone. Not anymore."

They all stared at her incredulously. After how she had lied to them, was she really expecting them to help her? She was crazier than Marian could sometimes be, maybe just as crazy as the Guardians of the Galaxy.

"After everything you've already done, why would we help you again?" Marian demanded.

Tallis touched Marian's face. "Because I've got your nose?"

Marian chuckled as everyone else just shook their heads. "The Qun taught you that?"

"If I were following the Qun, I would actually have your nose." Tallis chuckled. "I suppose that doesn't help." She sighed. "If I had my way, you would never have been this involved in the first place."

"What did you have in mind, exactly?" Marian considered. Now that she knew the truth, she wasn't happy to be involved into this but well, might as well see it through. Besides, the Avengers and her brother and sister would most likely want to finish the business as well.

"Well, we could go back, maybe have some tea with the duke. Get to know one another. Then, just as he starts to trust us, you slip a bag over his head and we drag him to Antiva." Tallis cracked as they either shook their heads or chuckled.

"You're kidding. Is she kidding? Tell me she's kidding." Sam said.

"Or we could find out when Salit is arriving, and stop him before it's too late." Tallis said.

Marian turned to the group, who all gave various shrugs before Marian looked back at Tallis. "Explain what's so terrible about Salit's plan."

"I…" Tallis gave a frustrated sigh. "Can't. Not completely. And yes, I know." She said quickly as they were about to open their mouths. "That's a hard sell. The information Salit plans to turn over to Orlais won't just hurt Qunari, however. It will harm anyone living in Qunari lands. Even those who fled the Qunari, of any race, will be condemned to persecution forever."

"So it's not just a political scheme." Bucky said.

"If only it was." Tallis sighed. "I'm not here on some directive from the Qun, I came…" She took a breath and sighed again. "Salit was declared Tal-Vashoth, but they didn't deem intervention worthwhile. I… couldn't agree. I had to try."

"Doesn't that make you Tal-Vashoth as well?" Marian asked.

"No. The Ben-Hassrath didn't order me not to do this, but here I am anyway." Tallis chuckled. "I was trying to earn my way back into their good graces. This probably won't help."

Her own people were fed up with her.

"Why? What happened?" Wanda wondered.

"It's not easy, being an elf in the Qun. You're not born to it like they are." Tallis folded her arms. "I've struggled to find that peace, that certainty. I know it's there, I just…" She shrugged. "Keep falling short." She looked at Marian. "What about you? Have you ever been part of something bigger than just yourself?"

"I protect Kirkwall. Or is that not what you mean?" Marian asked.

"We protect people from threats that they can't handle, whenever and wherever we can." Steve said.

"It's not the same thing." Tallis shook her head. "The Qunari have a vision of what life should be like. Free from pain and fear and doubt. You see tyranny and I see caring, an interest in the welfare of all. Yes, it could be better. But so could human indifference and cruelty. Or do you disagree?"

"No, you… have a point." Marian admitted.

"But there's one flaw in your plan. The Qunari want them all to think their way. Not their own. What about free will?" Steve pointed out. To an extent, the Qunari were starting to remind the Avengers of Hydra.

"I know what you might think of my people but we don't desire full dominance." Tallis said. "Help me stop this before it goes too far."

"I see your side. What now?" Marian asked.

"That's up to you. I couldn't force you to help, even if I wanted to." Tallis said as she was turning around.

They all sighed. Might as well see this through.


As they walked down the woods, they heard a familiar voice. "I knew you were a worthless traitor the moment I laid eyes on you."

Marian groaned as Baron Arlange came back with his cohorts. He was still sore that Marian had bested him in the hunt and had completely forgotten how easily she and her companions had defeated him. The archers took aim, but Steve shielded the arrows before Bucky, Hunter and Clint and Varric opened fire, shooting down the archers. Bethany threw a fireball, burning his bodyguards before Marian engaged Arlange. Arlange swung his sword at her but Marian dodged as they exchanged strikes. Marian kicked Arlange in the face as he staggered back before she stabbed him in the head and pulled the sword out.

Tallis shrugged. "He was persistent. I'll give him that much."


On their way to intercept Prosper, they had to fight through some Qunari before they found Prosper meeting Salit.

"Let's get this over with Qunari, before your assassins find us. Already I regret agreeing to spare them."

"I have chosen my path. That choice should not—"

"Parshaara!" Prosper snapped. "I am here to facilitate your deal with the empress, nothing more."

Salit pulled out his blades and Prosper's men nervously reached for theirs. However, they were relaxed when Salit dug the blade into the ground. Then he and one of Prosper's men approached one another and Salit gave him a scroll.

Prosper's man looked at the scroll, confused.

"Well?" Prosper asked.

"Names, Your Grace. It's… a list of names." The man said.

Prosper quickly snatched the scroll and looked at it and then glared at Salit. "What is the meaning of this?"

"You asked for weapon. I am providing it." Salit said simply.

Prosper glared at him. "We expected the formulas for blackpowder! Dreadnought plans, a map of Qunandar, anything! This… this is useless!"

It was at that point that one of Prosper's men notice the group. "Your Grace!"

Prosper glared. "Champion. I should have known you would turn up." He then handed the scroll to one of his men, failing to realize that man was a female elf.

"There is no need for you to die here, Duke Prosper." Marian said, hoping to end this with no bloodshed.

"You dare address me thus, pissant." Prosper growled.

Prosper suddenly turned and saw Tallis fighting his men with the scroll in her hand. She then somersaulted onto one of the ruined pillars in the ruins they were in.

"Tallis." Salit scowled.

Tallis glared down at him. "I said I would stop you, Salit."

"And I said I would slay you if you tried."

"If anyone is going to do any slaying, it will be me!" Prosper yelled, pulling out a crossbow.

He pulled the trigger on a crossbow fired some strange green ooze on Salit, but it wasn't poisonous. Then they heard of roar and looked up to see Prosper's wyvern Leopold on top of the ruins and it jumped down and killed Salit. Clearly the ooze was what attracted it.

"Kill them all!" Prosper ordered as he mounted Leopold.

The presence of Leopold the wyvern did complicate matters, but the additions Marian had made to the food earlier seemed to help, slowing it down at least. Prosper's men and the Qunari attacked but Marian, Carver, Aveline, Isabela, Tallis and Fenris drew their weapons, while Anders, Merrill and Bethany readied their staffs and Varric pulled out Bianca and Sebastian notched an arrow as the Avengers also prepared to fight.

Isabela and Marian were agile and quickly dodged before engaging them with Bobbi and Hunter as Carver, Aveline and Fenris managed to push back the Qunari, alongside Steve and Bucky, while Sam flew up, distracting Leopold and Merrill, Bethany, Anders and Wanda used their powers to slow down the Qunari at least.

There were some explosions, a lot of soldiers, and more Qunari but it was clear who was at the advantage before Prosper hit Marian with more of the green ooze. Leopold charged at her but Marian managed to dodge and slice the wyvern across the stomach as the creature slipped and fell over the edge of the cliff, while the duke barely managed to hold onto the ledge as she walked over.

"Keep away from me!" Prosper yelled, hanging on with one hand. "The empress will hear of this! Orlais will burn Kirkwall to the ground! All of you will die screaming, I swear it!"

They doubted that the empress would attack a city in the Free Marches, since that would be an act of war.

"I would have tried begging for mercy, but that's just me." Marian shrugged as she turned around and started to walk away.

"You… filthy… whore!" Prosper growled.

"Thank you for the lovely party, I'll treasure the belt." Marian chuckled casually.

The duke's grip slipped, and he fell down the cliff, screaming as he hit two rocks on the way down.

"A bit cliché, if you ask me." Bucky said.

"And here I thought Billy Russo ended quite pathetically." Hunter said as Bobbi and Clint nodded.

"Ooh, ouch." Bethany muttered.

Carver chuckled. "Drop a sword on him."

"You see that? He bounced." Isabela smiled.

"They never learn." Fenris shook his head.

"And that's you don't waste your last minute monologuing." Varric chuckled.

"Looks like the duke… has fallen from grace." Marian noted and there was a massive groan from everyone.


"If the duke only knew what he nearly had in his grasp." Tallis was kneeling by Salit's body. "Thank you. There's no way I could have done this without your help."

"What is the scroll?" Marian asked.

"This is a list of agents throughout Thedas. Qunari like myself." She touched the scroll. "Many of them have children, family, friends. They're people you wouldn't suspect. Some have even left the Qun behind. But if this list fell into human hands, they and everyone they know…"

"…would be killed." Marian finished as Tallis nodded.

"The Ariqun believes they knew the risks, but what about the innocents. I… I couldn't let this happen." Tallis said.

"That's it? You just walk away?" Steve asked.

Tallis chuckled. "You think I would fit into your merry entourage?"

Isabela touched her chin thoughtfully. "Let's see… are you possessed? Consorting with demons? A pathological liar? Did you drink a potion and get stronger or faster? Or did you get attached to a machine to prolong your life and do you have a hidden magical armor?"

"I am none of those things." Aveline pointed out.

"Can you run five miles carrying a cow of your head?" Isabela added as they all chuckled.

"That's better." Aveline smiled.

"I have six toes on my left foot." Tallis said.

"Eh. Close enough." Marian shrugged, not sure if she wanted to know if Tallis was serious or not.

"Maybe some other time, Marian. I still have a few things to do… but I am grateful. I want you to know that." Tallis smiled.

"Maybe those agents should be discovered." Marian said.

"I believe in the Qun, but I'm not doing this to protect the Qunari." Tallis touched the scroll again. "This list doesn't distinguish innocent from guilty, it doesn't show the friends, lovers, children who…" She shook her head. "Nobody should have it."

She was right, in her way. "This was important." Marian nodded.

"You've been… so much more than I expected." Tallis noted.

"Naïve? Gullible?" Clint asked.

"No. I wish I'd just told you the truth right from the beginning." Tallis said, clearly regretful of lying earlier.

"That would have been interesting." Marian nodded.

"Oh, before I forget." Tallis reached for her satchel and threw towards Marian an amulet with a very large gem. "That was going to be the Heart of the Many. You'd find a jewel, while I'd go off and find Salit…" She glanced down at the bodies. "And be back before anyone was the wiser. I suppose nothing ever goes like we plan, does it?" She waved cheerfully before walking away. "Take care of yourselves. Maybe we'll meet again sometime."

"I like her." Hunter said.

"No." Bobbi glared at him.


They soon returned Isabela's ship and while they were sailing back to Kirkwall, Marian noted the absence of both the captain and her brother. They could also hear certain faint noises emanating from the captain's quarters and Marian just shook her head, while the Avengers were trying to distract themselves by talking and trying to ignore the noise from Isabela's quarters.

Marian leaned onto the railing at the bow of the ship, staring at the shore as Steve leaned on next to her before she was about to go into her quarters but stopped, when she felt a hand on her wrist as she turned around.

"Something on your mind?" Steve asked.

"Just… I've never imagined I'd be where I am today seven years ago." Marian said.

"Honestly, neither have I." Steve smiled. "I guess fate works in strange ways. I was just a kid from the streets, trying to serve my country, when I was in no condition to. And back then, I never would've imagined that aliens or magic or this…" He waved around.

Marian nodded. "Do you ever miss your time?"

Steve took a breath. "There was a time I did but… not anymore." He stared at the sky. "I just wanted to help my fellow countrymen and then I became a symbol of hope. For eleven years I've been trying to fight for the right cause. And three years later and…"

"…you're caught now in a scuffle between mages and templars over who has more rights and who needs to be oppressed." Marian said. "I suppose some things you can't walk away from, as much as you want to."

"Fighting for the right cause, it can be worth it… if you've got good people at your sight." Steve glanced at Bucky, Wanda, Varric, Bethany, Carver and the rest.

"Without them, I probably would have cracked long ago." Marian said.

"You're stronger than you think. You just need to remember that you don't have to do this alone." Steve said.

"Steve, I…" Marian was silent, unsure what to say as they stared. Neither of them was sure who moved first but the next thing they knew, they kissed as they went silently into Marian's quarters as Marian took off his shirt, while Steve was pulling the strings on Marian's dress as they laid down. But before they could continue making out as she was about to take off her corset, they heard slams from above them and moaning. "Maker's breath, Carver." She rolled her eyes as she and Steve groaned, not wanting to imagine what was going on up there.

"Well… I think we can take this in the lower deck or in your mansion later tonight." Steve said as Marian chuckled before she laid down on his chest, trying to sleep as he fondled her hair.


Present

"Let me guess: you haven't seen Tallis since that day." Cassandra asked.

Varric shrugged. "A safe assumption, given her nature."

The Seeker gestured. "And who is left to appease Orlais after a duke's murder at the hands of the Champion of Kirkwall and the Scarlet Witch and the Avengers?"

"Prosper invited it by dealing with Tal-Vashoth. Possibly under orders from Empress Celene." The dwarf smirked. "Imagine the scandal if that was known."

"If you believe a Qunari agent."

"That's the difficult part, isn't it." Varric folded his hands. "I don't know why Marian and the rest helped Tallis. I suppose she was pretty for a Qunari." He leaned back. "Whatever the reason, I doubt it's the last we've seen of her." He shifted slightly. "But what do I know? I just tell stories."


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